Mechanism for hanging folded, tied umbrella

ABSTRACT

Provided is a mechanism for tying and hanging a folded umbrella or served as a handle of an umbrella bag. In one embodiment, the mechanism comprises a strap including a first fastener at one end, and a second fastener at the other end; and a hanging assembly including a hook, an integral loop member loosely formed between the first and the second fasteners by stitching a half loop element to the strap, and a flexible stop member projected from a joining portion of the hook and the loop member for closing an opening of the hook. Wrapping the strap around a canopy of the umbrella and attaching the second fastener to the first fastener will tie the canopy. Each of the fasteners is one of two constituent portions of a Velcro type fastener or button.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of Invention

The present invention relates to umbrellas and more particularly to animproved mechanism for optionally hanging a folded umbrella with itscanopy being securely tied or served as a handle of an umbrella bag.

2. Related Art

Conventionally, for tying canopy of a folded umbrella a tie closure isprovided on the outer surface of the canopy by stitching. Also, forhanging the tied umbrella a strap handle is provided at its handle.However, in practice both prior designs are typically trouble-prone andunreliable in use. Particularly, a single mechanism capable of tyingcanopy of a folded umbrella and then hanging same or served as a handleof an umbrella bag is not commercially available so far as the presentinventor is aware. Thus, a need for improvement exists.

Summary of the Invention

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide amechanism for optionally tying and hanging a folded umbrella or servedas a handle of an umbrella bag.

It is one object of the present invention to provide a mechanism fortying and hanging a folded umbrella comprising a strap including a firstfastener provided at one end, and a second fastener provided at theother end; and a hanging assembly including a hook, an integral loopmember loosely formed at a position between the first and the secondfasteners by stitching a half loop element to the strap, and a flexiblestop member projected from a joining portion of the hook and the loopmember for closing an opening of the hook; whereby wrapping the straparound a canopy of the umbrella and attaching the second fastener to thefirst fastener will tie the canopy and enable the hook to put on aprojecting object for hanging the umbrella thereon.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a mechanism fortying and hanging a folded umbrella comprising a strap including a firstfastener provided at one end, and a second fastener provided at theother end; and a straplike hanging assembly extended from a portion ofthe strap between the first and the second fasteners and including athird fastener provided at the other end; whereby wrapping the straparound a canopy of the umbrella, attaching the second fastener to oneportion of the first fastener, bending the hanging assembly, andattaching the third fastener to a remaining portion of the firstfastener will tie the canopy and cause the hanging assembly to form aloop.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a mechanismfor hanging a folded umbrella comprising a strap having one end securedto a center hole of a handle of the umbrella and including a firstfastener provided at the other end, and a second fastener providedproximate the first fastener; and a straplike hanging assembly havingone end secured to the center hole of the handle and including a loopmember loosely formed at the other end; whereby passing the firstfastener through the loop member and attaching the first fastener to thesecond fastener will cause the strap and the hanging assembly to form aloop.

In one aspect of the present invention, each of the fasteners is one oftwo constituent portions of a Velcro type fastener.

In another aspect of the present invention, each of the fasteners is oneof two constituent portions of a button.

In a further aspect of the present invention, the hanging assembly isimplemented as a strap having Velcro type fasteners or button andbuttonhole combination, or as a chain ring or loop ring or hook and eachof which is capable of optionally opening or closing as desired.

The above and other objects, features and advantages of the presentinvention will become apparent from the following detailed descriptiontaken with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a first configuration of a firstpreferred embodiment of mechanism for tying canopy of a folded umbrellaand hanging same according to the invention;

FIG. 1A is a perspective view of a second configuration of the firstpreferred embodiment of mechanism for tying canopy of a folded umbrellaand hanging same according to the invention;

FIG. 1B is a perspective view of a third configuration of the firstpreferred embodiment of mechanism for tying canopy of a folded umbrellaand hanging same according to the invention;

FIG. 1C is a perspective view of a fourth configuration of the firstpreferred embodiment of mechanism for tying canopy of a folded umbrellaand hanging same according to the invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a first configuration of a secondpreferred embodiment of mechanism for tying canopy of a folded umbrellaand hanging same according to the invention;

FIG. 2A is a perspective view of a second configuration of the secondpreferred embodiment of mechanism for tying canopy of a folded umbrellaand hanging same according to the invention;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a first configuration of a thirdpreferred embodiment of mechanism for tying canopy of a folded umbrellaand hanging same according to the invention;

FIG. 3A is a perspective view of a second configuration of the thirdpreferred embodiment of mechanism for tying canopy of a folded umbrellaand hanging same according to the invention;

FIGS. 4 and 5 are perspective views showing a folded umbrella before andafter being tied by the first configuration of the first preferredembodiment of mechanism shown in FIG. 1 respectively;

FIGS. 6 and 7 are perspective views showing a folded umbrella before andafter being tied by the first configuration of the second preferredembodiment of mechanism shown in FIG. 2 respectively;

FIG. 7A is a perspective view showing a folded umbrella being tied bythe second configuration of the second preferred embodiment of mechanismshown in FIG. 2A with a loop formed for hanging on an object;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing a folded umbrella being tied by thesecond configuration of the third preferred embodiment of mechanismshown in FIG. 3A with a loop formed for hanging on an object;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing a folded umbrella being tied by thesecond configuration of the third preferred embodiment of mechanismshown in FIG. 3A with the second panel being wrapped around the foldedumbrella again;

FIGS. 10 and 11 are perspective views of a first configuration of afourth preferred embodiment of mechanism implemented as a strap handleshowing two steps of forming same according to the invention;

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of a second configuration of the fourthpreferred embodiment of mechanism implemented as a strap handleaccording to the invention;

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a third configuration of the fourthpreferred embodiment of mechanism implemented as a strap handleaccording to the invention;

FIG. 14 is a perspective view of a fourth configuration of the fourthpreferred embodiment of mechanism implemented as a strap handleaccording to the invention; and

FIG. 15 is a perspective view of a fifth preferred embodiment ofmechanism implemented as a handle of an umbrella bag according to theinvention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring to FIG. 1, a first configuration of a first preferredembodiment of mechanism for tying canopy of a folded umbrella andhanging same or as a handle of an umbrella bag according to theinvention is shown. The mechanism comprises a strap 1 including a panel11 formed on an outer surface of a canopy of an umbrella by stitching, aVelcro type fastener 12 provided at one end, and a mated Velcro typefastener 13 provided at the other end; and a hanging assembly 2comprising a hook assembly 20 having a hook 22 and a flexible stopmember 29 for closing an opening of the hook 22, and a rigid loop memberhaving one point integrally formed with the hook assembly 20 and beingloosely formed at a position between both ends of the strap 1 bystitching a half loop 21 thereto.

Referring to FIG. 1A, a second configuration of the first preferredembodiment of mechanism for tying canopy of a folded umbrella andhanging same or as a handle of an umbrella bag according to theinvention is shown. The mechanism comprises a strap 1 including a panel11, a Velcro type fastener 12 provided at one end, and a mated Velcrotype fastener 13 provided at the other end; and a hanging assembly 2being shorter than the strap 1, the hanging assembly 2 including aVelcro type fastener 20A at either end and having an intermediateportion 21A secured to an intermediate portion of the strap 1 bystitching.

Referring to FIG. 1B, a third configuration of the first preferredembodiment of mechanism for tying canopy of a folded umbrella andhanging same or as a handle of an umbrella bag according to theinvention is shown. The characteristics of third configuration of thefirst preferred embodiment of mechanism are detailed below. The hangingassembly 2 includes a pair of buttons at one end and a pair ofbuttonholes at the other end and has an intermediate portion 21B securedto the intermediate portion of the strap 1 by stitching.

Referring to FIG. 1C, a fourth configuration of the first preferredembodiment of mechanism for tying canopy of a folded umbrella andhanging same or as a handle of an umbrella bag according to theinvention is shown. The characteristics of fourth configuration of thefirst preferred embodiment of mechanism are detailed below. The hangingassembly 2 includes a chain 20C and a half loop 21C stitched to theintermediate portion of the strap 1 such that the chain 20C may passthrough.

Referring to FIG. 2, a first configuration of a second preferredembodiment of mechanism for tying canopy of a folded umbrella andhanging same according to the invention is shown. The mechanismcomprises a strap 1 including a panel 11, a Velcro type fastener 12provided at one end, and a mated Velcro type fastener 13 provided at theother end; and a hanging assembly 2 shorter than the strap 1 and havingone end secured to the other end of the first fastener 12, and includinga third fastener 24 provided at the other end.

Referring to FIG. 2A, a second configuration of the second preferredembodiment of mechanism for tying canopy of a folded umbrella andhanging same according to the invention is shown. The secondconfiguration of the second preferred embodiment of mechanismsubstantially has same structure as the first configuration of thesecond preferred embodiment thereof. The characteristics of the secondconfiguration of the second preferred embodiment of mechanism aredetailed below. The mechanism comprises a strap 1 including a panel 11,two spaced Velcro type fasteners 12 and 12A provided at one end abuttonhole 12B provided between the Velcro type fasteners 12 and 12A,and a mated Velcro type fastener 13 provided at the other end; and ahanging assembly 2A integrally formed with the other end of the otherVelcro type fastener 12A and including a strap 23A, a button 24Aprovided at the other end, and a mated Velcro type fastener 24 proximatethe button 24.

Referring to FIG. 3, a first configuration of a third preferredembodiment of mechanism for tying canopy of a folded umbrella andhanging same according to the invention is shown. The mechanismcomprises a strap 1 including a panel 11, a first buttonhole 12 providedat one end, and a first button 13 provided at the other end; and ahanging assembly 2 comprising a second panel 23 shorter than the panel11 and having one end secured to the panel 11 proximate the firstbuttonhole 12 by stitching, a second buttonhole 26 formed between thefirst buttonhole 12 and one end thereof, and a second button 25 formedat the other end.

Referring to FIG. 3A, a second configuration of the third preferredembodiment of mechanism for tying canopy of a folded umbrella andhanging same according to the invention is shown. The mechanismcomprises a strap 1 including a panel 11, a Velcro type fastener 12provided at one end, a mated Velcro type fastener 13 provided at theother end, a first button 14 provided between the fasteners 12 and 13,and a second button 15 provided at the fastener 13; and a hangingassembly including a panel having one end secured to the fastener 12 bystitching, and a buttonhole 28 provided at the other end. As viewed fromthe FIG. 3A, the length of the hanging assembly 2A is almost equal tothat of the strap 1 to enable the buttonhole 28 may be engaged with thesecond button 15 and combined with the strap 1 into one piece as shownin FIG. 9.

Referring to FIGS. 4 and 5, it shows a folded umbrella 3 having itscanopy 31 being formed with the first configuration of the firstpreferred embodiment of mechanism shown in FIG. 1. For tying the canopy31, a person may wrap the strap 1 around the canopy 31 prior toattaching the mated Velcro type fastener 13 to the Velcro type fastener12 for fastening. At this time, the hook 22 is adapted to put on anobject for hanging the folded umbrella 3 thereon. Also, the hanging issecured since the stop member 29 is adapted to automatically, flexiblyclose the opening of the hook 22.

Referring to FIGS. 6 and 7, it shows a folded umbrella 3 having itscanopy 31 being formed with the second configuration of the firstpreferred embodiment of mechanism shown in FIG. 2. For tying the canopy31, a person may wrap the strap 1 around the canopy 31 prior toattaching the mated Velcro type fastener 13 to one portion of the Velcrotype fastener 12 for fastening, and bend the hanging assembly 2 prior toattaching the mated Velcro type fastener 24 to a remaining portion ofthe Velcro type fastener 12 for fastening. As an end, the canopy 31 istied and a loop is formed by the hanging assembly 2, the loop beingadapted to put on an object for hanging the folded umbrella 3 thereon.

Referring to FIG. 7A, it shows a folded umbrella being tied by thesecond configuration of the second preferred embodiment of mechanismshown in FIG. 2A with a loop formed by the strap 23A for hanging on anobject.

Referring to FIG. 8, it shows a folded umbrella being tied by the secondconfiguration of the third preferred embodiment of mechanism shown inFIG. 3A with a loop formed by the strap 23A for hanging on an object.

Referring to FIG. 9, it shows a folded umbrella being tied by the secondconfiguration of the third preferred embodiment of mechanism shown inFIG. 3A with the panel 23A being wrapped around the folded umbrellaagain.

Referring to FIGS. 10 and 11, it shows a first configuration of a fourthpreferred embodiment of mechanism implemented as a strap handleaccording to the invention. The mechanism comprises a strap 1 having oneend secured to a center hole 33 of a handle 32 of an umbrella 3 andincluding a first panel 11, a mated Velcro type fastener 13 provided atthe other end, and a Velcro type fastener 12 provided proximate themated Velcro type fastener 13; and a hanging assembly 2 having one endsecured to the center hole of the handle 32 and including a loop 27loosely formed at the other end, and a second panel 23 shorter than thefirst panel 11. For forming the strap handle, a person may pass themated Velcro type fastener 13 through the loop 27 prior to attaching themated Velcro type fastener 13 to the Velcro type fastener 12 forfastening. As an end, a large second loop is formed by both the strap 1and the hanging assembly 2 and the second loop is adapted to put on aprojecting object for hanging the folded umbrella 3 thereon.

Referring to FIG. 12, it shows a second configuration of the fourthpreferred embodiment of mechanism implemented as a strap handleaccording to the invention. The second configuration of the fourthpreferred embodiment substantially has same structure as the firstconfiguration of the fourth preferred embodiment. The differencesbetween the first and the second configurations of the fourth preferredembodiments are that the Velcro type fastener 12 is replaced by thesecond button 25 and the mated Velcro type fastener 13 is replaced bythe second buttonhole 26 respectively.

Referring to FIG. 13, it shows a third configuration of the fourthpreferred embodiment of mechanism implemented as a strap handleaccording to the invention. The third configuration of the fourthpreferred embodiment substantially has same structure as the secondconfiguration of the fourth preferred embodiment. The differencesbetween the second and the third configurations of the fourth preferredembodiments are that the hanging assembly 2 is eliminated and the secondbutton 25 is formed proximate the center hole 33 such that the secondbutton 25 is adapted to engage with the second buttonhole 26 for forminga strap handle.

Referring to FIG. 14, it shows a fourth configuration of the fourthpreferred embodiment of mechanism implemented as a strap handleaccording to the invention. The fourth configuration of the fourthpreferred embodiment substantially has same structure as the firstconfiguration of the fourth preferred embodiment. The characteristics ofthe fourth configurations of the fourth preferred embodiments are thatthe hanging assembly 2 is formed as a loop by fastening at the centerhole 33 and the strap 1 is stitched to the hanging assembly L. TheVelcro type fasteners 12 and 13 are adapted to engage with each other toform a smaller loop. Also, the button 12A is adapted to engage with thebuttonhole 13A for enhancing the fastening of the Velcro type fasteners12 and 13.

Referring to FIG. 15, it shows a fifth preferred embodiment of mechanismimplemented as a handle of an umbrella bag B according to the invention.The button 12 formed at an opening edge of the umbrella bag B is adaptedto engage with the buttonhole 13 formed at an open end of the strap 1 soas to form a handle of the umbrella bag B.

While the invention herein disclosed has been described by means ofspecific embodiments, numerous modifications and variations could bemade thereto by those skilled in the art without departing from thescope and spirit of the invention set forth in the claims.

1. A mechanism for tying and hanging a folded umbrella comprising: astrap including a first fastener provided at one end, and a secondfastener provided at the other end; and a hanging assembly looselyformed between the first and the second fasteners; whereby wrapping thestrap around a canopy of the umbrella and attaching the second fastenerto the first fastener will tie the canopy and enable the hangingassembly to put on a projecting object for hanging the umbrella thereon.2. The mechanism of claim 1, wherein the strap is formed on an outersurface of the canopy by stitching.
 3. The mechanism of claim 1, whereineither the first fastener is a Velcro type fastener and the secondfastener is a mated Velcro type fastener, or the first fastener is amated Velcro type fastener and the second fastener is a Velcro typefastener.
 4. The mechanism of claim 1, wherein either the first fasteneris a button and the second fastener is a buttonhole, or the firstfastener is a buttonhole and the second fastener is a button.
 5. Themechanism of claim 1, wherein the hanging assembly comprises a hook andan integral loop member loosely formed at a position between the firstand the second fasteners by stitching a half loop element to the strap.6. The mechanism of claim 5, further comprising a flexible stop memberprojected from a joining portion of the hook and the loop member forclosing an opening of the hook.
 7. The mechanism of claim 1, wherein thehanging assembly has one end secured to the other end of the firstfastener, and a third fastener provided at the other end, and wherebywrapping the strap around the canopy, attaching the third fastener tothe first fastener, bending the hanging assembly, and attaching thethird fastener to a remaining portion of the first fastener will tie thecanopy and cause the hanging assembly to form a loop.
 8. The mechanismof claim 7, wherein the third fastener is either a Velcro type fasteneror a button type fastener.
 9. The mechanism of claim 1, wherein thehanging assembly comprises a Velcro type fastener at either end andhaving an intermediate portion secured to an intermediate portion of thestrap by stitching.
 10. The mechanism of claim 1, wherein the hangingassembly comprises at least one button at one end and at least onebuttonhole at the other end and has an intermediate portion secured tothe intermediate portion of the strap by stitching.
 11. The mechanism ofclaim 1, wherein the hanging assembly comprises a chain and a half loopstitched to the intermediate portion of the strap such that the chainmay pass therethrough.
 12. A mechanism for tying and hanging a foldedumbrella comprising: a strap including a first fastener provided at oneend, and a second fastener provided at the other end; and a straplikehanging assembly extended from a portion of the strap between the firstand the second fasteners and including a third fastener provided at theother end; whereby wrapping the strap around a canopy of the umbrella,attaching the second fastener to one portion of the first fastener,bending the hanging assembly, and attaching the third fastener to aremaining portion of the first fastener will tie the canopy and causethe hanging assembly to form a loop.
 13. The mechanism of claim 12,wherein either the first fastener is a Velcro type fastener and each ofthe second and the third fasteners is a mated Velcro type fastener, orthe first fastener is a mated Velcro type fastener and each of thesecond and the third fasteners is a Velcro type fastener.
 14. Themechanism of claim 12, wherein either the first fastener comprises apair of buttonholes and each of the second and the third fasteners is abutton, or the first fastener comprises a pair of buttons and each ofthe second and the third fasteners comprises a buttonhole.
 15. Amechanism for hanging a folded umbrella comprising: a strap having afirst fastener formed proximate a center hole a handle of the umbrellasuch that a second fastener is adapted to engage with the first fastenerfor forming a strap handle.
 16. The mechanism of claim 15, wherein thestrap having one end secured to a center hole of a handle of theumbrella and including a first fastener provided at the other end, and asecond fastener provided proximate the first fastener; and a straplikehanging assembly having one end secured to the center hole of the handleand including a loop member loosely formed at the other end; wherebypassing the first fastener through the loop member and attaching thefirst fastener to the second fastener will cause the strap and thehanging assembly to form a loop.
 17. The mechanism of claim 15, whereineach of the first fastener and the second fastener is either a Velcrotype fastener or a button type fastener.
 18. The mechanism of claim 15,wherein the straplike hanging assembly having both free ends secured tothe center hole of the handle and including a loop member loosely formedat the other end and on the outer surface of the loop member furtherstitching a short strap having a first fastener and a second fastenerdisposed at both ends.
 19. The mechanism of claim 15, wherein thestraplike hanging assembly having both fixed ends secured to a side of abag of the umbrella and including a first fastener disposed at an otherside of the bag and a second fastener formed at both free ends of thestraplike hanging assembly.
 20. The mechanism of claim 19, wherein eachof the first fastener and the second fastener is either a Velcro typefastener or a button type fastener.